28 yo F smoker old cough, new sputum

[vastudent]

I am a pack a day smoker for 15 years.  (I know the consequences of smoking) However, I have had a cough for the last 3 months which has been dry and generally non-productive with occasional clear sputum.  Two weeks ago, and again today, I had a very hard cough accompanied with flat grey matter (looks like crusted nasal mucus) incorporated with the clear mucus.  Do I need to be concerned?  June 14th is my quit date and I am sticking to it.  Painfully I am an RN student ready to graduate in a matter of a few months so I have a general anatomical and pathological understanding as to what is happening at this time.  Any extra information would be great.

Thanks!

[National Jewish]

You do need to be concerned about the development of a cough that has lasted for 3 months, making it chronic.  It could be due to your 15 years of smoking, but you should not assume that to be the case.  You should see your doctor.  You may need to see a pulmonary specialist for complete evaluation of this cough.  The likelihood is that this cough has a benign cause, but any persistent cough, especially new onset cough, is worrisome and needs to be evaluated.

[poolnoni]

Why are you waiting until June 14th to quit? NOW IS THE TIME. Smoking is absolutey terrible for you. Being an RN student, you need not be told the dangers of smoking.  Please quit RIGHT NOW. God Bless. And don't go back to smoking once you have quit. Good luck.

[LLRT]

The colored sputum is the tar built up in your lungs from too much smoking. Congratulations on quitting that stinky habit. Congrats on becoming an RN too!! Good luck to you!!